Sangwali - David Livingstone at Linyanti 2. Extended Edition: David Livingstone at Linyanti 2: Extended Edition

By Konny von Schmettau

Sangwali, a nondescript little village situated in the deepest Caprivi Strip (currently called the Zambezi Region in the extreme northeast of Namibia) is the venue for a historic encounter between the famous missionary and African explorer, Dr. David Livingstone and Sebitwane, Chief of the great Makololo tribe.
He had fled with his men and their families from their powerful enemies to safety in the marshes of the Linyanti River.
A tragedy occurring many years ago, depicts the history of African missionary work from a very different view. After more than 150 years, the Mayeyi tribe still recount the time when they were enslaved to the Makololo, their sorrowful existence and the agonizing death of a group of
English missionaries and their families; whom they firmly believe were poisoned by the cruel Makololo successor, Chief Sekeletu.
Only one of the missionaries, Roger Price, and two young children from the Helmore family, survived this ordeal. They took the diaries of the deceased to England, describing their hardship on the banks of the Linyanti, a haven where they were to build a mission station bringing the Christian faith to the savage tribe.
A German entrepreneur and traveler recently established “Livingstone’s Camp” situated in this untouched landscape of indescribable beauty. The camp not only gives access to the wild romantic Nkasa Rupara (former Mamili) National Park, but also provides a historical connection to the missionaries and the Makololo tribe.
A young and educated Mayeyi, a direct descendant of the slaves, built a small thatched “Livingstone‘s Museum“, commemorating the incredible events taking place in this paradise.

This is their story ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: XinXii
• Release date: Oct 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9789991682136

Book preview

On the banks of the Linyanti

It is 1851.

Peace falls silently over the marshes as the setting sun becomes a luminous red ball on the horizon and darkness creeps across the expanse of the moor. Water lilies are reflected in the last light on the small winding rivers and channels then disappear from sight in the distance between high, swaying rushes in the soft breeze. The smoldering Mopane wood fire flares up in the wind, putting a warm glow on the faces of the two men sitting close together as they each tell the story of their lives. Reflecting on the past, the aged Sebitwane recounts his life’s experience to his young foreign friend of the long journey for his tribe, who were expelled from their home many years ago by the great Zulu tribe.

In search of their little paradise, the Makololo migrated with their cattle, wives, children and meagre belongings through the impenetrable jungle and swamps, over high mountains, steep cliffs, waterfalls and desolate arid savannas to the place they could rebuild their home in safety.

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Enroute they encountered tribes defending their own territory and warriors with suspicious eyes. The Makololo conquered many, taking their captives further north; along with their beautiful women and wealth. They finally arrived in the land of their dreams. This paradise however, was also favoured by the warlike Matabele, who once had ousted the Makololo.

A tall, tough white man full of sparkling energy and an insatiable intellectual curiosity, sat with the chief next to the softly flickering fire and listened to the fascinating story of his friend Sebitwane. Only this one time did Sebitwane open his heart to a stranger. His story has survived to this day in the records of the man who will be remembered as an unique example of humanity and enlightenment, a historian and adventurer, who left his mark on a continent which appeared at that time as only a white spot on the map:

Dr. David Livingstone.

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David Livingstone

He was born on 19 March 1813 from a Scottish working class in the village of Blantyre. Only the rich and affluent knew what convenience meant; not to those living in a tiny room shared with parents and siblings. As a child laborer in a mill, he secretly learned